DoubleYourEstimates.

Early in my career an experienced Project Manager gave me advice that I still use: when estimating, come up with how long it’ll take then double it – that’s the number you give others. It’s surprising how often it works and how a simple equation reduces stress.

Here’s an example: you’re asked to finalise a presentation. In your mind you quickly work out that it should take you about a day. Say it’ll take 2 days.

Part of the reason it works is that it’s simple.

It recognises that the future can’t always be predicted in the moment: you may want to do something else that comes up, people may need longer to review, or a multitude of other things. It provides an opportunity to deliver early and remove unnecessary stress on those around you.

Delivering early is fun.

Curious?

OK, I know. It was only two emails ago that I declared my favourite book of the past ten years. It’s still true. This one, A Curious Mind, by Brian Grazer is nipping its heels!

Brian Grazer is an ultra-successful Hollywood Producer who promotes the role of curiosity in enjoyable and successful lives. In his twenties he deliberately met a new person each day and he explains how his 35 years of ‘curiosity conversations’ have informed so much of his work. He surprised me by talking of how he manages through curiosity: that through honestly asking questions people are empowered.

I particularly enjoyed his honesty and application of curious questions when working with actors who’s job it is to manipulate you in to believing them…

He also suggests we don’t recognise curiosity highly enough. I agree.

Let me know what you think if you read it. I’m …curious.

Thanks Caleb for the recommendation!

2 years

The next of these emails will signify my having done so for 2 years.Let me know what you’d like to read in celebration. Toot toot!

Be amazed.

Great reads / listens

Search “Burniske” (the author of CryptoAssets) on your podcasts app and many will come up. They’re probably all good. This one is a great extension to the book and also a summary of crypto assets book. [1 hour listen]

For the creatives ~ [thanks Nick]“the best way to thrive in your creative life is to pretend like you’re in Groundhog Day…”

For you / your CEO

If you’re wanting to quickly get up to speed on Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, Robert Scoble & Shel Israel’s The Fourth Transformation is a good overview. If you’ve already watched a few videos or followed VR & AR commentary, I suggest not much will be new to you. I liked learning about headsets picking up autism in children (and the potential for saving a lot of confusion).

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Success!

Loads of fascinating developments have happened since I last wrote, including two blockchain tech conferences (Ethereal and Devcon) as well as bitcoin prices going through the roof (US$7,343 /AU$9651 when writing this) and masses of mainstream media attention. This new tech is really starting to touch our lives.

Favourite reads & listens

Great thinking on the rising Bitcoin prices from Laura Shin ~“The reasons for the jumps are unclear, but unless there’s negative news, every day, at minimum, the price is likely to rise because of new money coming into the system. Every day on Coinbase alone, about 35,000 new accounts open — a figure that sometimes reaches 50,000 — and thousands of people in South Korea and Japan, two countries where Bitcoin has taken off, are also bringing new fiat money [cash] into the system.”

It was fascinating to learn about inserting signals in the brain so people can move prosthetic limbs and even turn on taps at the Stentrode Story event in April. To start with it’s accident victims who can’t move limbs. We may be next: imagine if you can get your mind to turn on a tap. Connecting humans to machines – it’s coming. Putting my order in for wings and flight now.

Welcome to the 20th edition of this email. Did you know you can read all past editions in our archive?

The subject this time round is Average is Dead.

The Age of Average is Dead. Yippeee!

I’ve started listening to newly released “Thankyou for Being Late” which is “an essential and entertaining field guide to thriving in the 21st century” by the “Pulitzer Prize winner and number one international best-selling author of The World Is Flat”. A short way in, it’s already a great reflection on now and where we have the potential to head. Author Thomas L. Friedman mentions how Uber has removed layers of complexity for consumers – there’s no longer the need to call, schedule, trust a taxi will arrive,… Combined with others I’ve listened to recently concurring that the age of average is dead, it’s great to reflect on what Uber now provides and how it’s reduced effort, increased simplicity and even made the experience more enjoyable. What other complexities that we deal with day-to-day will be simplified to make life easier? So exciting.

Viktor & Rolf Exhibition

If you’re in Melbourne please head to the Viktor Rolf exhibition! It is a showcase of masterpieces of focus, determination, haute couture, craftsmanship, design, production, innovation and more. Absolutely exceptional. My photos are here. (Don’t peak if you’re going.)

Constant Learning is Here to Stay

We’re now in a fabulous time for humanity (move over negativity) and with it comes faster work environments and constant learning. Don’t freak out! Get an proactive, digitally-aware mindset. Get learning! Here’s your Digital Learning checklist (scroll down to where it says “Here is your Digital Learning Plan”). Use it to check you’re up to speed with current digital knowledge and send it to peers at work. Set time each week to fill each piece (it may take a lot less time than expected and give you great pride too).

2017 is Your Year!

Last year two of my legendary friends signed up for beginner ice hockey lessons. After the first few sessions they’d fallen in love with the sport and they’ve since fitted in practicing at the ice rink every day or two at lunch time or after work or… whenever! They run their own businesses and have full lives. They’ve made a new, exhilarating hobby fit in their lives. I’ve recently had a similar experience with surfing – I get so much done after a morning surf! What life priority / hobby is creating this sort of focus for you this year? Food for thought… Imagine altering your diary so you could be at [enter your equivalent to the ice hockey rink / surf break here] every day and that helped your productivity… Have fun!

Virtual Reality Excitement

An Australian VR start-up is creating accurate, virtual reconstructions of long-lost structures.

iWatch Tip

Do you have an iwatch? What face works for you? Here’s mine. I’m loving clicking the workout icon on the bottom-right, choosing ‘Other’ then ‘Surfing’ 🙂 Here’s a simple introduction on how to use the workout mode.

Millions of people are using it… (but there’s more – keep scrolling down…)

This is the AMAZING bit (I’m hoping you can read this – if not, click here or zoom your screensize):

Even if you never use Pokemon Go you now know an Augmented Reality smartphone app brings about exercise, exploring, chance meetings, connections between people, and potentially reduced racism. WOW.

Essential reading (or listening)

Next, is understanding the unlimited opportunities that AR and Virtual Reality (VR) provide in health, efficiencies, quicker new products and services, easier learning, testing and risk-reduction, and so much more.

Now imagine…. it feels like everyone is there, in the same room, in the same building yet your colleagues are located in different continents, at home, at another office …and the high five feels real.

This sense and feeling can now be purchased in the form of a VR unit that costs a few thousand dollars. Like smartphones, as the tech becomes commonplace it will be less important where professionals are located.

Reply to this email and let me know your thoughts on what’s coming for you, your work and beyond. I’m fascinated. Thanks to your replies to our last newsletter I learnt Josh Waitzkin has a book, gained new podcast recommendations, and lots more. They’re appreciated!

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